Royal Enfield overtakes Harley Davidson in sales figures

The Chennai based motorcycle manufacturer sold over three lakh motorcycles in 2014 which is almost 35,000 units more than what Harley sold.

Well, it seems that the American legend – Harley Davidson – has finally been challenged by someone. And that someone is none other than an Indian. The undisputed champion of the motorcycle world worldwide lost to an Indian motorcycle manufacturer – Royal Enfield – in 2014 sales figures.

Where Harley Davidson sold a total of 2,67,999 motorcycles worldwide in 2014, Royal Enfield sold an impressive 3,02,591 units. The news is also significant as for Royal Enfield, the sales figures of 2014 are 70% more than what it did in 2013 whereas Harley Davidson’s sales figures grew by 3%.

It also is an after effect of the efforts Royal Enfield has been putting in at the global platform. Appointing legends from the motorcycling world like Pierre Terblanche and Rod Copes, Royal Enfield sent a clear signal last year that it is now looking at a bigger platform by going overseas. Launching new models like the Classic, Thunderbird and Royal Enfield Continental GT also played an important role in Royal Enfield achieving this feat. Moving to a new engine – Unit Construction Engine (UCE) – also encouraged the first time buyers to have faith in one of the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer.

Royal Enfield has been growing in the Indian market at rates the industry has never seen or heard before. In January 2015, the company reported a 42% growth in the domestic market over figures achieved in January 2014. Where it sold 19,908 units in January 2014, this January saw a total sales figure of 28,157 units.